Mar 13 1970
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCCXXVI into orbit with 239-km (148.5-mi) apogee, 209-km (129.9-mi) perigee, 90.1-min period, and 81.3° inclination. Satellite reentered March 21. (GSFC SSR, 3/31/70)
Itos I (Tiros-M), launched Jan. 23, was adjudged successful by NASA. Primary objective of obtaining inflight engineering data for evaluation of single-momentum wheel stabilization system and secondary objective of evaluating stabilized platform for operational meteorology had been achieved. New stabilization system had proved very effective, maintaining spacecraft attitude within specified ± 1°. After completion of engineering tests and evaluation of spacecraft subsystems, spacecraft would be turned over to ESSA for use in meteorological operations. (NASA Proj Off)
Office of Science and Technology sent to Congress The Next Decade in Space, report of Space Science and Technology Panel of President's Science Advisory Committee: National program for next decade in space should focus on using "space capabilities for the welfare, security, and enlightenment of all people." Recommended goals were to contribute to Nation's economic strength and security and expand earth-oriented research and applications of space science and technology; explore solar system with phased program of lunar exploration, search for extraterrestrial life, and diversified planetary exploration; and use space platforms to expand knowledge of universe and basic physical laws. Panel urged that U.S. develop technology to expand capability for automated equipment controlled by man in remote location for space exploration and civil applications, reduce cost of space operations by cost reduction for expendable vehicles and payload development, strengthen biomedical basis for possible long-duration manned space flights, and encourage international cooperative programs. Panel recommended NASA and DOD continue joint study of reusable space transportation system "in the expectation that a decision can be made for a FY 1972 budget decision on an STS development program." Design target should be replacement "of the largest possible part of the national launch vehicle stable," including Saturn V. "We urge the deferral of a development decision on space stations more elaborate than the AAP space station... concept until the prior availability of the STS can be confidently anticipated." It was "likely that some form of multiply reusable space transportation system will indeed become the most attractive major new technology development for the decade." Other recommendations were basic biomedical research program supplemented by 12- to 18-mo Apollo Applications flight program, to provide human factors information for more ambitious space station; possible second-generation space station to utilize STS; and earth-orbital manned space flight activity with systems using STS. (Text)
Dr. Wernher von Braun, former MSFC Director, was sworn in as NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning by Or. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator. (Off NASA Dep Assoc Admin)
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, and Prof. Giampietro Puppi of Italian National Research Council (CNR),signed agreement specifying conditions under which NASA would provide reimbursable launchings for Italian scientific spacecraft and responsibilities of each party. CNR would provide spacecraft and experiments, inform NASA of spacecraft's design and mission, and reimburse NASA for launch vehicle and associated services. NASA would furnish booster that would meet mission requirements and provide launch, tracking and data acquisition, and other services. First launch under agreement would be Italy's Sirio, scheduled for launch by Delta booster into 35 400-km (22 000-mi) stationary orbit in 1972. Satellite would carry telecommunications, technology, and scientific experiments to be conducted with ground stations in Europe. (NASA Release 70-42)
NASA held Hq. briefing on space station and shuttle programs for representatives of 17 nations, ELDO, ESC, and ESRO. Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, said foreign participation was step in NASA's continuing efforts to inform other nations of post-Apollo program planning so that they might determine extent to which they wished to participate in it. (NASA Release 70-41)
Vice President Spiro T. Agnew presented Harmon International Aviation and Space Trophy for 1969 to Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry (USAF) for "extraordinary and brilliant piloting feat" while testing NASA HL-10 lifting-body vehicle and to Apollo 8 Astronauts Frank Borman, William A. Anders, and James A. Lovell, Jr., for first manned flight to moon. (Program; AFSC Newsreview, 4/70)
Dr. Charles A. Berry, MSC Director of Medical Research and Operations, participated in international medical conference by two-way satellite TV relay between MSC and 11 European cities. Conference was part of program of 18th International Post-Graduate Congress of German Federal Medical Council. Central meeting was at Davos, Switzerland, with other medical groups participating through TV projection from nine German cities and Vienna, Austria. (MSC Release 70-29; NASA PAO)
Models of Viking Mars lander had been tested at speeds from mach 0.6 to mach 0.3 in Propulsion Wind Tunnel at AFSC's Arnold Engineering Development Center at Tullahoma, Tenn., AFSC announced. Atmosphere on Mars had been simulated in tunnels for tests conducted for NASA and Martin Marietta Corp. on aeroshell and base cover that would protect lander during entry through Martian atmosphere. (AFSC Release 67.70)
President Nixon announced appointment of new members of President's Science Advisory Committee: Dr. Solomon J. Buchsbaum, Vice President of Research, Sandia Laboratories; Dr. Theodore L. Cairns, Assistant Director, Central Research Dept., E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.; Dr. James S. Coleman, Dept. of Social Relations, Johns Hopkins Univ.; Dr. Val L. Fitch, Princeton Univ. physicist,; and Dr. Lloyd H. Smith, Jr., Chairman of Dept. of Medicine, Univ. of California, San Francisco Medical Center. New members would serve until Dec. 31, 1973. They succeeded William R. Hewlett, who had resigned, and Dr. Ivan L. Bennett, Jr., Dr. Sidney D. Drell, Dr. Charles P. Slichter, and Dr. Charles H. Townes, whose terms had expired. (PD, 3/16/70, 357-8)
Dr. Donald F. Hornig-Vice President and Director of Eastman Kodak Co., professor at Univ. of Rochester, and former Presidential Science Adviser-was named President of Brown Univ. in Providence, R.I., effective June 1. (W Star, 3/14/70, A2; Science, 3/20170; 1597)
Chicago Daily News editorial commented on President Nixon's space recommendations: "Compared to the feverish reach for the moon in the Sixties, the plans. . seem almost pedestrian. Not until men take off for Mars-at the earliest in 1983-will there be anything like the excitement of the first trip to the moon. Yet it is a practical timetable NASA has developed, one that promises the maximum in scientific research within a budget reflecting a lowered priority for space. Exploration of space is by no means being abandoned, but urgent needs on Earth clearly come first." (C Daily News, 3/13/70)
Science article commented on suggestions of President's Science Advisory Committee panel that NASA devote more time to biomedical research: "There appear to be practical limits other than the budgetary ones on the expansion of basic studies in the manned space program. It will be a long time before astronauts on missions operate in conditions anything like those of the laboratory." MSC Director of Medical Research and Operations, Dr. Charles A. Berry, and his staff "have been responsible for establishing medical protocols for the missions, in a way that balances the need for biomedical data with operational demands and the willingness and ability of the astronauts to cooperate. Some medical procedures are tedious; unpleasant, and even humiliating, and when the work load on astronauts is heavy, data gathering has to be limited. For this reason in part, then, tension between biomedical insiders and outsiders is likely to continue. At the same time the interests of the two groups are nearer to converging than ever before." (Walsh, Science, 3/13170, 1469-71)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
